The importance of following constituted protocols to maintain high standards in food safety for producers is paramount, and directly reflected in the quality of the final product that reaches the end-consumer.
Especially for poultry producers such as, for instance, one of Sri Lanka’s most trusted and beloved poultry giants Crysbro, food safety has been at the forefront of their attention, since inception.
“Given the industry we specialise in, and the vast consumer-base that consumes our poultry products on a daily basis, the responsibility of ensuring that a high-quality, zero-risk product reaches the customer’s table is on us- and we have consistently proven to stand out from the rest and deliver quality,” remarks Crysbro Head of Marketing, Amores Sellar.
“Last year we introduced the state-of-the-art molecular laboratory facility to our processing plant, the first ever to be brought into this country. With this facility, we are able to use the PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) system to detect common foodborne pathogens such as salmonella, Listeria and Campylobacter, which are three extremely common culprits of food poisoning,” he added.
In terms of food safety, this facility has enabled Crysbro’s production chain to accurately monitor the health of its poultry flocks and assess any potential risks in advance, without having to compromise on operational productivity. The poultry giant is now also capable of screening the potential presence of foodborne pathogens in processed meat in conjunction with ongoing microbiological testing. This robust technology guarantees the rapid screening of all potential biological contaminants in the processed chicken, distributed among consumers.
Meat and poultry are considered among the leading source (vehicles) for foodborne illnesses around the world. It is estimated that the main route of transmission of campylobacter – a type of bacteria which stems from contaminated food and water – is through the handling and preparation of raw meat and consumption of improperly processed, undercooked broiler meat.
Salmonella is also considered as a high priority pathogen in international poultry meat inspection as poultry produce is often central in the sporadic and outbreak-related cases of salmonellosis.
The pathogens that cause these infections are typically zoonotic, meaning they can be transmitted between animals and humans, and can be introduced at any point along the food chain; from when the animal is raised, to the day of slaughter and up to the moment it is consumed.
By introducing new technology and safety measures into their processes, Crysbro is actively addressing the rising demand for poultry meat and eggs in Sri Lanka while greatly minimising risk to public health.
The molecular laboratory facility is equipped with ELISA testing procedures to evaluate the efficacy of vaccines and vaccination procedures adopted in farms to evaluate the safety of the flocks against common diseases.
This is one among Crysbro’s many investments in state-of-the-art technology for operations and innovation, and the company “will further continue to invest in world-class technology to expedite the process of raising the standards in poultry production in Sri Lanka.”
Chicken and poultry products are now a common component in the average Sri Lankan’s diet, offering ample nutritional benefits and high protein. Ascertaining the poultry giant’s commitment to strictly maintaining the production and handling of the consumable is not difficult, and it is clear that the company doesn’t keep its focus solely on the factor of food safety.
For instance, to enrich and heighten the nutritional value, the maize used to feed the chickens is particularly rich in pro-vitamin A carotenoids, which are converted into Vitamin A once they enter the human digestive system. Vitamin A is vital for the body’s processes of growth, development and immunity.
Crysbro’s commitment to food safety is beyond significant, and the poultry giant follows all hygiene and biosecurity standards, “leaving no room for health and food safety discrepancies in the overall operations front, as well as supply chain, from hatcheries, broiler farms, to production, processing and transportation,” Sellar notes.
About Crysbro
Established in 1972 with just 100 chicks and a deep desire to be a market leader in quality and innovation, Crysbro has emerged as Sri Lanka’s first and most sophisticated, fully vertically-integrated poultry producer. Its operations span grandparent and parent farms, hatcheries, broiler farms and feed mills. This thriving ‘Farm-to-Fork’ concept has formed the core of its success. In turn, it has yielded unprecedented benefit for numerous stakeholders including direct and indirect employees, outgrowers, domestic maize farmers and ultimately Sri Lankan consumers.
